David Bowie Movie Set For Cannes Film Festival Premiere

Moonage Daydream, the first ever David Bowie film will premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival next month as it is officially authorized by his estate.

It was first revealed last November by Variety that Moonage Daydream would be “neither documentary nor biography, but an immersive cinematic experience built, in part, upon thousands of hours of never before seen material.”

The film will feature unreleased 35mm and 16mm footages from Bowie’s personal archives, including concert footage. Bowie’s estate presented all the unfiltered materials, including all master recordings in 2017 to filmmaker Brett Morgen (best known for Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck) who directed, edited, and produced the film. Bowie’s longtime producer, Tony Visconti also served as the film’s music producer.

Morgen’s aim was “to create an artful and life-affirming film that takes the audience on a journey through Bowie’s creative life,” as the film would not only explore Bowie’s music and film career. But on different art forms throughout the icon’s life, including dance, painting, sculpture, video and audio collage, screenwriting, acting and live theatre.

According to U.S. distributor Neon, the film was completed after a five-year production and assembly process. It will make its streaming premiere on HBO and HBO Max in spring 2023.

The movie was further described as a “cinematic odyssey that explores Bowie’s creative, musical and spiritual journey. Told through sublime, kaleidoscopic, never-before-seen footage, performances and music, the film is guided by Bowie’s narration.”

Bowie’s wife, Iman, said last year about the family’s caution on approving such projects:

“it’s just so private … it’s a family decision. It’s always a no. We always ask each other, ‘Would he do it?’ He wouldn’t. We want to honor his decision.”